Best Trello Alternatives & Competitors in 2026
10 alternatives to Trello • Updated January 2026
Trello is beautifully simple—and sometimes too simple. When your needs outgrow basic Kanban boards, you'll hit Trello's walls. The free tier changes haven't helped, and Atlassian's ownership means enterprise focus over simplicity. For teams who've outgrown Trello but don't want Jira's complexity, there's a sweet spot of alternatives.
10
Alternatives
8
Free Options
92
Top Score
2026
Updated
Why Teams Outgrow Trello
Feature Limitations
Trello's Kanban-first design limits timeline views, dependencies, and complex workflows that growing teams need.
Free Tier Changes
Trello's free tier has become more limited. Board limits and Power-Up restrictions frustrate free users.
Scaling Challenges
Managing multiple projects, teams, and boards becomes unwieldy. Trello doesn't scale gracefully.
Power-Up Dependency
Advanced features require Power-Ups which require paid plans. The base product is too basic.
What Trello Does Well
- +Incredibly easy to start using
- +Perfect for simple Kanban workflows
- +Visual and intuitive interface
- +Good for personal task management
Common Pain Points
- -Limited beyond basic Kanban
- -Free tier increasingly restricted
- -Doesn't scale well for complex projects
- -Advanced features locked behind Power-Ups
What to Look For in a Trello Alternative
Simplicity vs Power
Trello's simplicity was the draw. How much complexity are you willing to add?
Visual Kanban Focus
If you love Kanban boards, look for alternatives that keep visual workflow management central.
Growth Room
Choose something that won't require another migration as you grow.
Free Tier Quality
If cost drove you away from Trello, compare free tiers carefully.
Migration Considerations
Trello boards export to JSON. Most alternatives can import this or convert it. The migration is usually smooth for data. The challenge is adjusting to new interfaces and features. Keep Trello boards accessible during transition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Trello alternative?
Based on our analysis, Linear is currently the top-rated Trello alternative with a score of 92/100. That said, the "best" alternative depends on your specific needs, budget, and use case. We recommend trying free trials before making a decision.
Is there a free alternative to Trello?
Yes! Linear, Notion, Airtable offer free or freemium pricing. Free alternatives often have limitations on features or usage, but they can be perfect for individuals or small teams.
How difficult is it to switch from Trello?
Switching difficulty varies depending on how much data you have and how deeply integratedTrello is in your workflow. Most modern tools support data export/import in standard formats. Plan for a transition period where you might run both tools in parallel to ensure a smooth switch.